Startup and management of a highly complex, interdisciplinary project

The underlying management philosophy that was employed to launch the development of the latest design of artificial heart at the University of Utah, and the specifics of the design development philosophy, are discussed. The successes and setbacks that were experienced with the key program activities which were employed in this management process are also described. Those activities included: concurrent engineering concepts; strong customer orientation; a CPM (critical path method)-based project management approach; improved design documentation procedures; and formalized design review and approval procedures.<>